World Cup winger heading back to rugby with Poua
Kiwi Ferns winger Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly is returning to rugby to play for the Hurricanes Poua in next year’s Super Rugby Aupiki.
Stephens-Daly played in last month’s Rugby League World Cup final against Australia in Manchester.
The Bay of Plenty 26-year-old is one of three signings the Hurricanes Poua have made to complete their roster, with Black Ferns Sevens player Shakira Baker and Manawatū and former Whanganui front rower Sosoli Talawadua the other two.
Stephens-Daly switched to rugby league in 2020 and made her Kiwi Ferns debut against Fetu Samoa.
Joining NRLW club Newcastle Knights ahead of the delayed 2021 Premiership Stephens-Daly impressed, covering several positions and playing eight of the Knights’ 12 games in 2022.
Rotorua-born Stephens-Daly represented the Mā ori All Stars at the start of the year, scoring both of Mā ori All Stars’ tries in their 18-8 loss to Indigenous All Stars in the 2022 pre-season.
On her return to rugby and joining the Poua, Stephens-Daly said she
was excited by the opportunity.
“I wasn’t planning on getting into Super Rugby so soon, but when Tors [Poua coach Victoria Grant] called, I jumped at the opportunity.
“It’s special in that my dad’s family
come from the Hurricanes area, so I’m excited to get into the yellow jersey. I know I am going to be around some amazing players, and the opportunity to learn from Tors is something I’m really excited about,” said Stephens-Daly.
Grant said: “Autumn has just come off the back of a great year of league with the Newcastle Knights, who won the NRLW, and Rugby League World Cup as part of the Kiwi Ferns.
“She’s an elusive outside back with great agility and speed. She is an amazing finisher, so we’re pleased to have her join the side.”
World Cup winning Black Fern Talawadua links up with the Poua off the back of a Farah Palmer Cup campaign with the Manawatū Cyclones.
After making her maiden international appearance in 2016, Talawadua was selected for the 2017 Rugby World Cup squad. Hailing from Whanganui, she is currently Whanganui Rugby’s women’s and secondary school rugby development officer.
Fourteen years after her Farah Palmer Cup debut for Wellington, Shakira Baker makes a return to the Capital.
Since debuting for the Black Ferns Sevens in 2011, the former maths teacher quickly established herself as one of the premier Sevens players in the world, combining her Sevens and XVs experience on the international stage for the past 12 years.
Super Rugby Aupiki kicks off Saturday February 25, with the Hurricanes Poua taking on the Chiefs Manawa in the competition opener at Levin Domain.